The massive image: Android 13 made its debut on the distribution charts this month. Whereas Google has made it considerably tougher to trace adjustments in model market share in recent times, its newest OS appears to be having fun with a wholesome begin because of platform companions.
Google’s newest chart exhibiting the distribution of Android variations throughout gadgets is the primary because it launched Android 13 final August. The corporate’s newest cellular working system is already on simply over 5 % of Android telephones. Model 12 additionally elevated its share within the final 5 months.
Initially, Google periodically and publicly launched its knowledge evaluating Android model market share to tell builders deciding which variations their software program ought to goal. Nevertheless, in 2018, the corporate restricted that data to its inner improvement platform, the place the updates turned irregular. Since 2020, 9to5Google has accessed the updates and launched them by means of AndroidDistribution.io.
One other component to think about is that, in contrast to iOS gadgets, Android telephones do not uniformly improve to new variations as quickly as Google releases them. Producers like Samsung and Sony replace their programs primarily based on their very own scheduling, which displays in Google’s distribution knowledge.
When Android 13 launched in August, it was unique to Google’s Pixel telephones. Samsung launched its Android 13-based OneUI 5 quickly after. OnePlus, Sony, and different producers additionally launched telephones supporting Android 13 final 12 months, serving to the OS’s comparatively fast progress.
Android 12 first appeared on Google’s charts within the earlier replace final August — proper earlier than Android 13’s launch — with 13.5 % of the general Android market share. Since then, that quantity has grown to 18.9 %, whereas Android 11 has fallen from 27 % to 24.4 %. Variations 10 and 9 additionally nonetheless retain important person bases.
The Android staff has launched quite a few options and updates since 13’s debut, with extra to come back. Assist for the favored Spine One cellular gaming controller arrived on Android late final 12 months, and Google not too long ago gave Android Auto its first main overhaul. Moreover, Google and Home windows partnered to develop the connectivity between Android and Home windows 11.
Qualcomm is working to deliver important developments to Android as nicely. In November, the corporate unveiled the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip with help for Wi-Fi 7, enhanced AI efficiency, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, Unreal Engine 5, and extra. Qualcomm can also be introducing a satellite-based communication service to Android telephones to reply Apple’s SOS system for iPhones.
